//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 - First day of school? 
// Story: Hexan, the Phantom Thief 
// by Hexan Tronic 
//------------------------------//

04/11 Mon

Upon awakening, I sat up, and quickly changed into my uniform. Afterwards, I grabbed my bag, after placing the diary inside, and head downstairs. When I got down there, I saw Roast-san behind the counter, and a plate of what looked like curry on the counter.

“Huh, so you're actually going are you? If you are, then eat.” He says, gesturing to the curry, so I sit down and start eating. I can taste plenty of complex flavours, accompanying the bold spiciness of the curry. I am soon finished, and sliding my bag on.

“Thanks for the delicious breakfast, Roast-san.” I say, getting my shoes on.

“Think nothing of it, but you better hurry. Or you could get lost or be late.” He says, which lets me know I should head out. Once I get outside, I notice that the sign hasn’t been flipped yet, and flip it to open. After that, I backtrack to the station, before hopping on.

After some time on the packed train, I get off at Shibuya, and head up to the main area. Looking around, I notice a conversation nearby, before heading through the terminal. Looking at the signs, I start following them to the Ginza line, until I find the path blocked due to cleaning. Then I remember the alternate path I saw on the map my phone has and follow it up to station square. Once there, I see the area I need to go and head over there, then up the stairs to the Ginza line, where I then hop on the train.

While riding the train, I look at the forecast, and notice that it has begun to rain, and that I don’t have an umbrella. Once I get off, I head out of the station, and stand under some cover. After some time, someone else joins me under the cover, soon lowering the hood she is wearing, revealing vibrant red and orange hair, in twintails.

Once I can stop looking at her, I feel my phone vibrate and pull it out, and the app is back again, and seems to open by itself. Before I can investigate it, a car rolls up, and the window goes down.

“Hey, do you want a lift, you could be late otherwise.” The adult in the car says.

“Yeah, alright.” The girl beside me says, before getting in, and the adult notices me.

“What about you, do you need a lift?” He asks me, to which I shake my head.

“No thank you, I’ll make my own way.” I say, to which the window rolls up, but not before I see a sad expression on the girls face, then the car drives off. Before it gets too far, I hear a shout, and running. After a moment or two, a guy around my age, runs up.

“Damn it, screw that pervy coach.” He say, which confuses me a little.

“Pervy coach?” I ask, which gets him to turn around, although I’m distracted, and don’t notice my phone vibrate.

Looking the guy over, he is wearing the same uniform as me. He has blonde hair, with white streaks.

“...What do you want?” He asks me in a somewhat angry tone. “You planing to rat me out to Kikku?” He asks, looking a bit threatening, probably not noticing my confusion.

“Whose Kikku?” I ask, tilting my head slightly, still not noticing my phone.

“What do you mean? In that car just now, was Kikku.” He explains, looking to be calming down.

“He does whatever the hell he wants. Who does he think he is--king of a castle? Don’t you agree?” The boy says.

“King of a castle?” I ask, wondering what he is talking about.

“Uh, is just a saying…” He says, before continuing. “...Wait. You don’t know Kikku? Are you being serious?” He asks. “You are from Shujin, right?”

“I think I do…” I say, hoping I remember the name of the school right.

“Are you messing with me? Your wearing their uniform.” He explains, looking me over. “A second year huh, same as me…”

“I’ve never seen you before though… Oh, are you a transfer student?” He finally asks.

“Kinda, I guess?” I reply, having forgotten my phone is in my hand.

“Then no wonder you don’t know him...” He says, before looking around. “Hmm, the rain ain’t too bad. We better hurry if we don’t want to be late.” He says, before turning to walk off. At that moment, I feel a bad headache, the only lasts a moment. I also hear him groan. “Damn, my head hurts...I just wanna go home…”He says, before walking off, me right behind him.

We end up walking into a thin alleyway, as I put my phone away. Then once we reach the end off the alley, I hear the other guy yell in shock. “What?!” When I turn to look at what he saw, I see a large castle. The guy turns and looks around. “I’m sure we went the right way…”

“Yeah, this should be Shujin… the hells going on here?” He asks, before walking up to the castle entrance, me right behind.

Once inside, we look around what appears to be a grand entrance hall. “That’s weird...Where’s the school?” He says, looking around.

“Are you sure this is the right place?” I ask, hoping we aren’t trespassing.

“Definitely, at least I’m pretty sure this is the right place…” He says, as he pulls out his phone, likely to check the map. “No service? Where the hell are we?” He asks.

“That was the sign for the school out front, right?” He asks me.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it said Shujin.” I say. That’s when we hear someone in a suit of armour walk up. I’m not sure what metal it is, but it’s a darkish orange colour. He stops in front of us.

“Geeze, you freaked me out. Who’re you? You a student?” The boy asks it. “Man, that costume is impressive, is that real metal?” He continues. “Come on, don’t just stand there, say something.”

That’s when another suit of armour walks up. “H..Hey, what’s going on?” He asks, but gets no answer.

“What is this?...”  I ask more to myself than anything.

“I don’t know dude.” The guy says, before the first one walks up to him. “...This shits real.” I’ve come to the same conclusion, as the second suit gets closer. “H..Hey, just calm down…” He says, looking a bit frightened.

“We gotta run.” He says, looking to me.

“Got it” But before we can get anywhere, we are surrounded.

“What’s with them?” He asks before he is bashed in the back by the shield on the of the suits are carrying, knocking him to the ground.

“F...Fuck, your gonna break my back, damn it!” He says, from his position on the ground. At that point, the suits crowd around us, then everything goes black.

----------------------

I am laying on my back, as I hear a voice calling me.

“...Hey, get up man.” A voice that sounds familiar says, before I’m shaken a little, and open my eyes, seeing the guy I was with, and what appears to be a dungeon cell.

“Hey, you alright?” He asks, with what sounds like genuine concern.

“Yeah, I’m feeling okay, how about you?” I ask in return, getting a look around, and seeing our bags by the door.

“I’m more or less okay.” He says, as I get up. “It looks like this isn’t a dream…” He finishes.

“Ugh, what the fuck is going on?!” He exclaims, before running to the door and banging on it. “Hey, I know someone is there! Let us the fuck out of here!” He yells out into the halls.

“Damn it, the hell are we? Some kinda TV set?...” He asks, but I doubt it. That’s when we hear a scream and both run to the door.

“The hell was that man…” He says, as we try to see where it’s coming from.

“Sounds like a tortured scream.” I say, stepping away from the door.

“Whoa...whoa, whoa, whoa.” He says, in disbelief. “Your shitting me, right?” He asks, as I shake my head.

“This is bad. Quick, lets try and find a way out.” He says, as he starts searching. After a bit, we discover there is no way out. Then we hear the suits of armour again.

“Shit, do you hear that?” He asks, stepping back over to the beds. Then we see the suits again, but I’m unsure if they are the same ones. Then they speak.

“Your punishment has been decided upon, lucky you.” It says, and a male voice. “The charge, is ‘unlawful entry’.” It continues.

“Thus, you have been sentenced to death.” It finishes.

“Say what?!” My companion yells in shock. That’s when we hear a familiar voice.

“No pieces of trash are allowed to do as they please, in my castle.” That’s when what looks like Kikku walks up to the barred door.

“Huh, wait… Is that you Kikku?” The boy asks.

“I’d thought it would have been some petty thief, but to think it’d be you, Tama” The man says. Looking at him, he is dressed in a dark red robe, as well as navy blue dress shirt and pants.

“You appear to be disobeying me again. Looks like I need to teach you another lesson.” Kikku says. “And look, you even brought a little friend with you, because you can do anything for yourself.” He mocks.

“This ain’t funny, you asshole.” Tama says.

“Is that how your supposed to speak to a king?! It seems you don’t understand your position at all.” Kikku says. “Not only did you sneak into my castle. You commited the crime of insulting the king!” He says. “And the punishment for both, is death.”

“It’s time for an execution! Take him out!” Kikku exclaims.

“S..Stop it…” Tama says, backing away more. I watch, as the suits of armour come into the room, and corner Tama.

That’s when Tama shoulder barges one of the suits. “I’m not going down like this, come on!” He says, looking at me, before one of the other suits walks up and slams the hilt of it’s sword into Tama’s gut, causing him to collapse.

“J..Just get out of here, these guys are serious…” Tama says to me, as I try to pull a spear from a suit.

“Oho, your going to run away? What a heartless friend you are!” Kikku remarks.

“He ain’t a friend...” Tama says. “Come on, hurry up and go!”

“What’s the matter, are you too much of a wimp to run away?” Kikku mocks. “Pathetic scum like you isn’t worth my time. I’ll focus on this ones execution.” Kikku says, before having the suits hold Tama up, as he starts beating him. Throwing insults at him as he does. The entire time one of the suits holds a sword to my neck.

After a bit, Kikku knocks Tama to the ground. “ A peasant like you isn’t worth beating. I’ll have you killed, right now.” He says.

“Have you lost your mind, you lunatic!” I yell out, glaring at Kikku. He turns and walks towards me.

“What? You can’t tell me you don’t know who I am.” He says, before noticing my glare. “That look on your face irritates me” He says, before kicking my gut. “Hold him there, after the peasant, it’s his turn.” Then a pair of suits grab me by my shoulders and hold me against the wall.

I watch as Tama says that he doesn’t want to die, while Kikku just laughs. That’s when I hear someone speak to me, in what sounds like a feminine voice.

“This is truly an unjust game… Your chances of winning are almost none. But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you…” She says, before going quiet. That’s when I hear him.

“What are you doing, are you simply content to watch?” He asks. “Are you giving his life to save your own? He will not leave this place with his life should you hesitate. Were your previous actions, a mistake?” He continues, as I get a glimpse of me punching the man that was assaulting the woman, the reason I'm here now, even if I don’t remember it.

“Of course it wasn’t.” I say, just quiet enough that Kikku can’t hear me. I can see a suit picking up Tama, ready to stab him. I start struggling against the suits holding me.

“Very well then...I have tested your resolve, and you have passed.” He says, before I feel pain in my head. I start lightly screaming in pain, as He continues talking.

“Vow to me. I am thou, thou art I… Thou who art willing to perform all manner of heinous acts, in the name of helping others! Call my name, and release thy rage!” He says, His voice sounding clearer, and the pain getting worse.

“Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thy own, and helping all on your path, though thou be chained, to Hell itself!” He says, and I somehow know what I need to do.

“Execute him!” Kikku says, pointing at Tama.

“That’s as far as you’ll go!” I says, glaring hatefully at Kikku.

“What was that?...” Kikku asks, turning to me, as the suit drops Tama. 

“I’ll stop you, even if I must do it on my own!” I say, still with some pain in my head.

“You desire to be killed first? Fine then..” Kikku says. Before nodding to one of the suits, who smack me in the head with it’s shield. Distracting me long enough for two suits to pin me to the wall with their spears.

Once I come to, a suit has it’s sword raise, but that’s when a burst of wind radiates out from me, stunning the suits and Kikku.

When the wind dies down, I feel something on my face. It feels like a domino mask, I try to pull it off, but it feels like pulling on my skill, but I’m compelled to keep pulling, until I rip it off, and when I do, I feel the blood running down around the entire upper half of my face, before I feel a rush of strength, and start grinning like a mad man.

That’s when the flames begin. Blue flames start to burn all over me, but not hurting me, and pretty soon I’m completely covered, before the flames start moving back off me, forming a separate entity. I take a glance behind me to look at the being.

I see a tall pale man, with a purple top hat, with an orange ribbon around it. The rim of the hat has short saw blades.The hat sits on his short, blonde hair, which has purple streaks running through it. He has a mask over his eyes, which is purple with orange around the eyes. He is wearing a purple jacket over an orange t-shirt, while he is also wearing black trousers. He holds a cane with a silver handle in one hand, and a multi hued, purple shotgun in the other. He has a calm, but slightly unhinged smirk on his face, with glowing purple eyes. His hat has a symbol on it, which appears to be the roman numeral for 1.

After looking at him, I turned my attention back to the stunned occupants of the room, and I notice that I’m holding chains, which I throw away. After which the being behind me unleashes a wave of wind which blows the suits away.

Kikku tries to crawl away, while Tama looks up at me stunned.

I watch the being behind me pose, before he begins to speak in the same voice that was talking through my pain.

“I am the assistant to all, Tasukete!” He says, looking down at me. I notice Tama looking at Tasukete.

“What the…” Tama says before going quiet.

“I am the rebels soul that resides within you. Should you wish it, I may consider granting you the power to survive this crisis.” Tasukete says.

“Grant me your power.” I say, with no hesitation.

“Hmpf, very well...” He says, before I notice that Kikku has stood up.

“Who the hell are you…?!” Kikku asks. “Guards!” At that point the suits, or I guess guards, get up from their crumpled position on the floor. “Start by killing that one!” He says, pointing to me.





The guards shake, before dissolving into streams of red and black energy, their forms being replaced with two floating jack o’ lanterns, that poses a small cloak, witches hat and a lantern.

“You must detest the enemies before you. Change that animosity into power...and unleash it!” Tasukete says, as I glare at the enemies.

After he finishes speaking, two words form in my mind. Both feel powerful, so I speak them out loud.

“Persona!” After I said that, I see Tasukete manifest behind me, before I use the second word. “Zio!” I yell, pointing the the left Jack O’ Lantern. At that point, Tasukete fires his shotgun, which shoots a bolt of lightning at the poor pumpkin, hurting it, but not defeating it.

Due to my amazement at my attack, I take a hit from both enemies, before I ready myself again.

“Swing your blade!” He says, as I take notice of the cane in my right hand. I pull on the handle, which pulls out a thin sword, which I use to slash the enemy I attacked before, which kills it, making it vanish into black smoke. After the attack, I instinctively return the sword to the cane.

“This power of mine, is yours! Kill them however you want, run wild to your heart's content!” I take one more hit while listening to Tasukete, before I attack again, casting Zio at the enemy, killing it like the last one.

Once the adrenalin died down, I finally notice that my clothes have changed. Gone is my Shujin uniform, and in its place is a purple suit, with purple pants. Both have orange highlights around the waist and pockets. I also have purple gloves with an orange ‘H’ on both. And finally, I notice a purple tophat on my head.

“What...What was that just now?” Tama asks, bringing my attention back to him.

“You little…!” Kikku comes up in my face, looking angry. That’s when Tama tackled him to the ground.

“Hah, you like that, you bastard!” He says.

“Grab the keys, lets go.” I say, walking out of the cell after grabbing my bag. After Tama locks the cell, he turns to me.

“What was all that just now? And your clothes…” He asks, before my clothes change back to my uniform and a flash of the blue fire. “Whoa, it went back to normal…?!” 

At this point, Kikku pull on the bars, startling us both.

“You utter bastards!!” He says.

“God, this is fucking nuts.” Tama says. “Anyway, let's get out of here. You lead the way.” He says, while throwing the keys away and we walk off.

“Goddamn thieves..!! After them! Don’t let the run free!” Kikku says just before we are out of hearing range.

“Come on, let’s get moving.” Tama says, letting me go ahead. Our path is shortly blocked by a locked door.

“Damn it, what now?” He asks, before I decide to jump over the nearby rapids, which have cages to stand on sticking out of them.

“This way.” I say. Once we are both over, we continue on our way. After crossing over another section of the rapids, we reach another locked door, but I notice an open cell and walk in.

“Think we can fit in that hole?” Tama asks, pointing to it, so I crawl in, moving quickly. Once out, we left the cell we emerged in, and crossed a drawbridge. Once we reach a stack of boxes and barrels, we hide behind them, as more guards are patrolling on the other side of the rapids.

“Shit, how many of them are there?” Tama asks, as we head through the nearby doorway and up the spiral stairway beyond it.. “I hope we are getting closer to the exit…” He says, as we exit the stairway.

“It doesn’t look like this is the exit, let's keep moving.” I say, walking along the only available path. Along the path, we see cages above the rapids, with a person in some of them.

“I guess we weren’t the only ones captured...Think they made those screams from before?” Tama asks as I just keep walking. Just past them is a raised drawbridge, with a statue nearby. “Damn it, we don’t have time for games, we need to get out of here!” He yells.

“Hey, over here!” Something calls for us. Walking a bit further down, I notice a creature in the cell. It looks like a mix of a fox, and a puppy. It was standing on two legs, it had the ears and tail of a fox, while a more puppy like face, as well as clawed hands. It appeared to be wearing a cloth over most of its face as a mask, and had a little outfit that was a similar colour, which was dark grey, while it’s fur was a light brown. It looked at us with it’s bright blue eyes.

“Come on, let me out of here!” It said, sounding female.

“Why would we do that, you look just as weird as the guards.” Tama said, which was a valid point.

“But it is in a cage.” I say, looking for the key.

“At least one of you can think clearly, also the key is over there.” She said, pointing to the wall further down. Once I have the key, I let her out and she stretches.

“Ah, free at last!” She says.

“Okay, we freed the weird monster dog, now what?” Tama asks.

“I’m not a dog! I am Abigale!” She said, as I look back the way we came.

“Nice to meet you. Know a way out?” I say, hoping to hurry along so we aren’t caught.

“Sure, this way!” She says, before heading over to the statue of Kikku.

----------------------------

Yakudatsu Kenkyū’s POV

I’m sitting at my desk in the staff room.

“...It’s already fourth period.” I say, after looking at the time.

“Roast-san said that Tronic-kun left the house this morning. Should I call the police?” I ask myself, a little worried about him.

“No, that’ll just be a hassle.” I let out a sigh, before continuing. “What have I done to deserve this…?” I ask myself.

----------------------------

Hexan Tronic’s POV

“Pull it’s jaw down.” Abigale explains.

“Huh? What does that have to do with anything?” Tama asks.

“Just do it one of you, I’m not big enough…” She says. I decide to walk over and do as she said, which causes the eyes of the statue to glow, and lower the bridge.

Once we cross the bridge, we come face to face with another guard, and my clothes change back to the suit. I see Abigale jump on Tama, while calling him an amature while he is on the ground.

“Hey, you can fight, right?” Abigale asks me, to which I nod. Then she seems to prepare herself before yelling out. “Come Gādian!” She yells out, before a burst of blue flames appear behind her.

When the flames die down, I can see a being. It appears to be female, and she has short, light brown hair. She has pale skin, while she is wearing a knee length dress, which is dark grey and navy blue coloured. She has two oddly shaped semi circles attached to her arms, one is blue that I feel is familiar, while the other is black, with a golden trim.

“You have one of those things too?!” Tama asks in surprise.

“We will quickly beat them down!” Abigale says, as I came up beside her.





At that point, the guard changes into the red and black energy as before before forming two beings. One is the Jack O’ Lantern from before. The other is what appears to be a pinkish demon, with a spike coming from between its legs.

“It looks like they are seriously trying to kill us. Fight with everything you have, I’ll back you up.” Abigale states.

To begin with, I pull out my cane and slash at the demon. After which, Abigale chuckles.

“You call that, an attack? This is an attack. Gādian, Garu!” She yells, as a burst of greenish wind hits the Jack O’ Lantern, knocking it to the floor. “Strike at an enemies weakness to knock them down. And use that opening to strike again!” She explains, before slashing the pumpkin creature with her dagger, killing it.

At that point, Abigale takes a hit from the demon, which I then attack myself, casting Zio on it, which kills it. Once the battle is over, I feel a sudden weight in my pocket, specifically in my wallet. Ignoring it for now, I feel Tasukete gain a new skill, which seems to be called ‘Snap’.

“Not bad, your persona is pretty good.” Abigale says, while Tama comes over.

“Persona? Is that what those things are?” He asks. “Those things seem to come out all dramatic-like…” He says.

“Yeah, you saw how this guy ripped his mask off when he summoned it, right?” She asks. “Well, everybody wears a mask deep within their heart, and by removing that…” She begins to explain, but my clothes change back to normal again.

“Huh?...He turned back to normal again.” Tama says.

“I guess you don’t have full control yet. We better get moving if we want out of here.” She says, before heading out.

She leads us to a set of stairs, which we walk up. In the cell we are about to walk past, a guy is collapsed in there. He is wearing some form of uniform, I think.

“Hey, hold on a sec, I think I recognise this outfit, but I can’t remember where from all the excitement.” Tama says

“Come on, we have to hurry!” Abigale says, sounding hurried.

“We can’t just leave him here.” Tama says.

“We don’t have time to worry about others right now. Now lets go before…” She couldn’t finish, because the bridge in front of us lowered, and a guard crossed it.





Before we could do anything, it quickly changes forms at our end of the bridge, and reveals a pair creatures that looks like a fairy, with a blue leotard, and red/brown hair.

“Let’s fight.” I say, my clothes changing again.

“Glad to see your not easily shaken.” Abigale says, taking up a battle position beside me.

I have the first move, and decide to try out my new one. 

“Tasukete, Snap!” I say, pointing at the left fairy. On my command, Tasukete appears, runs up and shoots his shotgun in the fairy’s face, knocking her down. After this I take my second turn, and have Tasukete fire on the second fairy, giving me a third opening which I use to slash the left fairy with my cane, finishing her off.

“Nice moves!” Abigale compliments, before slashing the other fairy, killing her and ending our encounter. Again, my wallet feels a little heavier.

Yet again, my transformation reverts me back to my school uniform. “Alright, lets get moving before more show up.” Abigale says.

“We can’t just leave them here.” Tama says.

“Ugh, I don’t have time to explain why they don’t matter right now, let’s move!” She says, heading over the bridge.

“Damn it, fine I’m coming.” He says, before following her, as I do as well.

We reach a door, and go through it, which leaves us at the bottom of some stairs.

“The entrance hall should be just up these stairs, we are almost home free.” She says. Following her up, we go to the hallway opposite the side of the room we entered, which has two doors.

“Alright, we’re here.” Abigale says, resting by a door.

“Finally, we’re save…” Tama says, as he opens the door next to the one Abigale is on, and walks in. Once we are all inside, I see it is some sort of reading room.

“How are we going to get out from here?” Tama asks.

“Through that vent.” She says, pointing to the vent cover above a bookshelf.

“Alright, leave this to me.” Tama says, before he climbs up and pulls the cover off. “Alright, let’s get out of here.”

“Well, this is where we go our separate ways. I still have stuff I need to do around here.” Abigale explains.

“Alright, take care.” I say, before heading through the vent, Tama right behind me.

Once we are out, we follow the way we came, and ended up right back where we met.

“So…” Tama takes some breaths. “...Did we make it?” He asks, just as I feel a vibration and pull out my phone.

“You have returned to the real world. Welcome back.” My phone says, before the app closes.

“Huh, returned?” He asks, as confused as I am. “...Does that me we got away?” He continues.

“Most likely.” I says, putting my phone away.

“To be honest, I don’t really know what to make of all that…” He says, sounding exhausted.

“What was all that stuff anyway…? That castle, and Kikku and the monster dog!” He says.

“Don’t insult her.” I say.

“What’s with all the yelling?” A pair of police officers come over. “Are you students of Shujin?” He asks.

“I bet your cutting classes.” He states.

“Huh? No! We were trying to get to school when…” Tama starts to say, before I interrupt him.

“...When we ended up getting lost. During that time we got hungry. After eating, we finally found some familiar sights and were on our way, before you both stopped us.” I quickly say, coming up with it as I went.

“Well if that’s the case, get a move on, your both extremely late.” The main talking officer said, before letting us go, me pulling Tama’s arm slightly to keep him moving.

“Why did you stop me from telling them about the castle?!” He asks me once we are far enough away.

“Because you already admitted that it sounds ridiculous, imagine what they would think if you told them.” I explain. He sighs as we come up on the school, it looking the same as I saw on Sunday.

“Huh, that’s weird. I’m sure we came the same way though…” Tama says, after we exit the alleyway.

“Where have you been?” A man, who I’m guessing is a member of the school staff, asks us.

“It’s likely the officers already told you our story, does it bear repeating?” I ask.

“Hmm, no I guess not, but you’ll still need to come with me Hayai-san.” The man says, as Tama groans. “Though, it is rare not to see you alone.” 

“We just happened to bump into each other and recognised the matching uniforms.” I explain.

“Well, alright then. Come along Hayai-san.” The man says, walking inside, as Tama follows him. After which I walk into the school, then remember what Kenkyū-san said, and begin my search for the faculty office. After a quick look around the ground floor, I head up to the second one, and find the faculty office nearby.

I walk up to the door and knock, waiting for confirmation that I can enter.

“Come in.” A woman's voice says. As I walked in, I discover it was Kenkyū-san’s voice. “Your truly unbelievable, you know that?” She says, looking tired. “You do know your about half a day late, and this is only your first day.” She explains.

“Sorry about that. I just got really lost, being new in town and all.” I explain, and hope she buys it.

“Do you think you can pull yourself together. You were given plenty of warning yesterday.” She says. “And more importantly, I heard that you arrived with that Tama-kun.” She says, in a tone that states annoyance.

“We just happened to arrive at the same time. I don’t even know who he is.” I explain.

“Well, either way. Try not to get involved with him, he is nothing but trouble.” She says, but I have my doubts, having spent time with him.

“Though, he wasn’t like that while he had the baseball team to keep his attention.” She explains.

“...Anyway, breaks almost over. Classes will end after fifth period today, due to the subway accident.” She explains. “‘I’ll have you introduce yourself when class resumes. Follow me.” She says, as she gets up and leave the room, me close behind.

I follow her through the halls, and a bit before we reach the classroom, she stops me to talk.

“By the way, when you introduce yourself… Be serious about it, even if your lying to the class, okay? Try not to say anything unnecessary.” She says. Once she is finished, we head into class.

-----------------------------

Standing in front of the class, a fair amount of whispering is going around. I can catch bits and pieces, like stuff about me being late, and me having a temper. But I just stay calm.

“Alright, settle down.” Kenkyū says to the class.

“...Well, I’d like to introduce a transfer student: Hexan Tronic.” She introduces for me. “Today we… had him attend from the afternoon onwards, since he wasn’t feeling well.” Not the worst of excuses.

“Alright, please say something to the class.” She asks.

“I’m Hexan Tronic. Pleased to meet you all, and I hope I can assist any of you in any way I can.” I state, finishing with a bow. Looking up, I see some of the class is a bit caught off guard at my politeness. ‘I guess there was a leak.’

“Now, your seat will be… Hmm... “ Kenkyū-san takes a moment to think. “Over there, the one that’s open.” She says, pointing to the open seat next to the window. “Sorry, but can the people near him share your textbooks with him for today?” I walk over to my seat, and notice it’s behind the girl I saw in the rain earlier. As I walk past, she mumbles something to herself.

“...Lies.” She happened to look at me as she said it.

“Hmm? Is something wrong?” I ask quietly. She just ignores me, so I go past and sit down. Now I can hear whispers about how we might know each other.

“Oh, that’s right. The football match is in two days… Everyone’s just changed classes, so make sure you use that time to get to know each other. Without further adieu, let’s get class started. Who's on duty today?” Kenkyū-san informs and asks. When she is finished, a boy, who looks to be a bit beat up, rises.

“Everyone, please rise…” He says in a subdued voice.

--------------------------

After class, I walk out into the hallway, and see it temporarily shift into the halls of the castle. Which cause me to shake my head to rid myself of the vision.

“Hmm? What’s wrong?” Kenkyū-san asks, having seen my look a bit dazed.

“N..Nothing’s wrong. Just a bit lightheaded.” I explain.

“If you say so… Also, it seems like people are already talking about you. But you can trust that I haven’t told them.” She says. “I can’t even catch a break… Why do I have to deal with all this?” She asks.

“I’m sorry to be such a burden to you, Kenkyū-san.” I apologise.

“N..No, it’s okay.” She says, looking a little unsure.

“Anyway, you should head straight home, Roast-san sounded pretty angry.” She forewarns.

“Oh and about Tama-kun. Don’t get involved…” She starts to say, before being interrupted, as the man himself walks over. “Speak of the devil.” She mumbles to herself.

“What do you want? I heard you were cutting classes today.” She accuses, to which he groans.

“I wasn’t doing nothing…” He says.

“And you still haven’t dyed your hair back to black yet, either...” She points out.

“Sorry bout that.” He says. He then moves over and whispers in my ear. “Meet you on the rooftop.” Before he walks off.

“See, that’s why I don’t want you involved with him, understand?” She asks.

“Yeah, I get it.” I say, nodding an affirmation. Once she is done, she walks off to finish her work. That’s when the principal and who I believe is Kikku, come up the stairs, so I stand with my back to them, by the doorway to my classroom.

Listening to their conversation, I gathered that Kikku is entirely against me being here, even more so because I know Tama. He also thinks I’ll bring the schools rep down. 'What a load of bull.’ I think, as they walk off. 

Once I’m sure they're gone, I head upstairs, until I find the door to the rooftop, which has an off-limits sign. But the door is unlocked, so I head outside.

Once outside, I see Tama leaning on a chair.

“...There you are.” He says, looking up at me. “Sorry for calling you up here like this.”

“I bet Kenkyū has already told you not to get involved with me.” He assumes.

“Yeah, but why should I stay away, because of your past?” I ask.

“Yeah well, when it comes to rocky pasts, we’re in the same boat I hear.” He says, likely referring to the rumours.

“I heard you have a criminal record, and everyone’s been talking about it.” He says. “No wonder you were so gutsy.”

“...So, what do you think all that was? How we almost got killed at a castle…? I mean, it wasn’t a dream… right? You remember it too, yeah?” He asks.

“Yeah, but hard to forget all that.” I reply.

“Well, just because we can both remember it doesn’t mean much...” He says.

“I mean, even if it was a dream, you saved me from Kikku.” He says, sounding glad. “So yeah, thanks Hexan.”

“Your welcome.” I reply simply.

“But man, that Kikku we saw there… You probably don’t know about it, but there are rumours surrounding him.” Tama explains.

“The coach guy with an ego problem?” I ask, to which he nods.

“Yeah, and the same asshole who was full of himself at the castle. No one says anything against him ‘cause he’s some medalist who took the football team to nationals.” He explains.

“The way Kikku was king of that castle was crazy real ‘cause of that…” He says. “... I wonder if we could go back to that castle again…” He says, thinking to himself before shaking his head. “Ugh, forget it. Must’ve all been a dream. It has to be!” He says.

“Sorry for dragging you out here like this, that’s all I had to say.” He says. “You know, we might be pretty similar. I feel like we are gonna get along just fine as ‘troublemakers’.” He says.

“I’m Hayai Tama. I’ll come talk if I see ya ‘round. Don’t go ignoring me, alright?” He says. I nod, to show I heard him. “Alright then. Seeya.” He says, before heading off.

-------------------------

Once Hayai-san left, I head back inside, then I head to the station and made my way straight home. Once there, I walk in, and see Roast-san.

“Hey, I got an interesting call from your school today.” He explains. “It’s only the first day and you already showed up hours later?” He questioned.

“I lost my way, and the rain didn’t help either.” I explain. He then sighs.

“Look, just behave yourself. And pack an umbrella into that bag of yours.” He says. “Just to remind you, your life’s forfeit if anything happens. You understand the meaning of probation, right?” He says.

“Of course I do.” I confirm.

He suddenly gets a call on his phone. After talking for a minute or two, he hangs up.

“Hey, what are you standing around for, hurry up to bed.” He says, before I head up to my room.

Once I'm back in my room, I change into my pajamas, and hear the door downstairs close, signaling that Roast-san has left. So I head down to flip the sign, as well as lock the door and turn the lights off. Once all that is done, I head back upstairs and lay in bed, and go to sleep.